Hammer with spring shank handle



Ma ge- Feb. 19, 1957 H. B. FREEMAN 2,781,805

HAMMER WITH SPRING SHANK HANDLE Filed April 7, 1955 fiemyfli'heemazr INVENTOR I BY {11 I I A ATTORNEYS United States Patent HAMMER WITH SPRING SHANK HANDLE Henry B. Freeman, Placerville, Calif.

Application April 7, 1955, Serial No. 499,849

1 Claim. (Cl. 145-29) This invention relates to tools, and particularly to headed tools such as hammers or the like.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a tubul-ar spring steel shank on which the handle of the tool is secured, the steel shank being connected to the head of the tool in such a way as to absorb or cushion the jar or shock directed to the handle during the use of the tool, and which usually results in pain to the wrist and hand of the person using the tool.

A further object of the invention is to provide a steel spring shank connected between the hand grip and head of the tool, the steel spring shank having annular grooves in the outer surface thereof that cooperate with the socket of the handle or hand grip of the tool in securing the hand grip to the tool shank against accidental displacement.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter described and the novel features thereof defined in the appended claim.

'Referring to the drawing:

Fig. l is an elevational view of a spring steel shank connected between a hand grip and hammer head, the hand grip and portion of the hammer head being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a spring steel shank.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the shank and hand grip of the tool, illustrating a modified form of the invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail the reference character 5 indicates a spring steel shank which is tubular in formation and provided with an enlarged end 6, the enlarged end 6 merging into the spring steel shank at 7.

The reference character 8 indicates a hammer head which is formed with the usual socket 9 for the reception of one end of the handle shank which may be screwed, welded or forged integrally with the hammer head, as desired.

The hand grip of the tool i indicated by the reference character 10 and is formed in the conventional manner of leather, the hand grip having a bore extending inwardly from one end thereof, the bore being of a diameter to accommodate the major portion of the shank of the tool over which the hand grip is driven.

Annular grooves 11 are formed in the shank 5, and are arranged in spaced relation with respect to each other longitudinally of the shank. These annular grooves present rather sharp edges that bite into the leather of which the hand grip 10 is formed, securely fastening the hand grip to the spring steel shank, forming the essence of ice the present invention. These grooves 11 also lend resiliency to the shank 5 within the hand grip, increasing the efficiency of the handle.

As shown by Fig. 1 of the drawing, one end of the hand grip 10 is tapered at 12 and stops a substantial distance from the head 8 of the tool, so that the portion of the spring steel shank between the forward end of the hand grip 10 and the head of the tool, will be free to flex slightly when in use, thereby absorbing sudden shock and jar which would otherwise be transmitted to the hand and arm of the person using the tool, during the hammering operation.

In the form of the invention as shown by Fig. 3 of the drawing, the spring steel shank is indicated by the reference character 5 and the hammer head is indicated by the reference character 6, the hammer head having an extension 7 over which the enlarged tubular end 8' of the shank 5 is positioned and secured as by welding or any desired method of securing. In this form of the invention, the hand grip which is indicated by the reference character 9' is formed with a bore which is designed to receive the major portion of the shank 5' over which the hand grip is driven.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described, I have provided a tool in the form of a handle which is provided with a spring steel hollow shank connected between a hand grip and hammer head in such a way that the portion of the spring steel shank between the forward end of the hand grip and handle will yield slightly and absorb vibrations incident to the tool striking an object when in use. Due to this construction, the operators hand and wrist which ordinarily receive the full impact of the hammer action, will be relieved of appreciable strain to the comfort of the person using the tool.

While the specific details of one embodiment of the invention have been herein shown and described, the invention is not confined thereto a changes and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A tool comprising a hammer head, a handle for said tool, a tubular shank of a length of spring steel adapted to absorb shock directed to the tool when in use, said shank having a plurality of annular external grooves formed therein, a flexible hand grip formed with a bore extending inwardly from one end thereof adapted to be driven over said shank, said annular grooves presenting sharp edges to bite into the wall of said bore and securely fasten the hand grip to the shank, and one end of said shank being connected with said head said grooves pro viding increased resiliency of said shank.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 894,155 Layton July 21, 1908 1,089,043 Burgess Mar. 3, 1914 1,158,032 Eastman Oct. 26, 1915 2,603,260 Floren July 15, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 290,678 Switzerland Aug. 17, 1953 

